Jersey Sisters Solve Elizabeth Castle's 'Secret Agent' Mystery

Two sisters from Jersey have cracked the case of the mystery author of the message in a bottle found in Elizabeth Castle, with help from Channel 103.

The note, which was discovered in a fireplace during renovation works, reads '007 James Bond - 26th Feb 1966 - P.S Secret Agent Don't Tell Anybody'.

On the reverse of the piece of paper is the signature, 'E. A. Blampied'.

The daughters of Edward Arnold Blampied's daughters, Annelis Michel and Debbie Blampied, came forward after hearing about the mysterious find  on Channel 103.

Edward was working as a carpenter in 1966 and constructed the stairways in the Officers' Quarters at Elizabeth Castle.

 A young Edward Arnold Blampied

Annelis tells us more about the detective work carried out by her and her sister: 

"I was listening to Channel 103 when I heard the name E. A. Blampied and I thought - hold on a minute!

I messaged my sister and said 'Are you listening to the radio? Put 103 on and listen to the news', and she got back to me and said 'Oh my God - it's got to be Dad.'

Our father worked at the castle around the 1960s and he was a carpenter - so we were putting all this knowledge together.

We then got everything out of the loft, looking at photos and writings from Dad. We were then invited to Jersey Heritage archives and we got to see the actual note. We compared the letters. 

My mum was a bit sceptical whether it was Dad's writing, but there are so many similarities - and it's something he would do.

When we got this confirmed it was so exciting."

 The note that was concealed in a glass bottle behind a blocked up fireplace in the Officers' Quarters. 

Annelis continued: "It's a very common thing for builders and carpenters to do. In our family home, our dad put his name in the concrete, on walls, behind wood. 

There's notes all over the place in house, so if anybody ever takes it on they'll find all sorts of things. He also worked at the other castle, so you never know... something might turn up there." 

Jersey Heritage's Historic Building's Officer Harvey Doolan said: 

"We are delighted to have solved the mystery of the James Bond note discovered at Elizabeth Castle and are very grateful for Annelis and Debbie coming forward.

Having spoken at length with them about their father and his life, and checked the note against examples of his handwriting, we're sure he was the author.

He used a very distinctive 'th' after the date, which is present on the note and on another letter he wrote that they showed us."